Holy Cross
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staff.

“Days
of Rage”
In the winter 2004 issue of Holy Cross Magazine, Peter Kranstover’s
recollection of the “Days of Rage” jumbles the
chronology a bit.

1. The black student walkout occurred at the end of 1969,
the semester before the Cambodian bombings and Kent State,
not after.

2. The demonstration at the ROTC building occurred the night
of 6 May 1970, based on his memory of the RSU speech and
the rock through the window. This was the second consecutive
night of demonstrations at the Air Force ROTC building (the
Navy ROTC at the time was located in O’Kane) and the
leadership of the College was significantly more visible
during these demonstrations than he remembers. Fr. Swords,
then president of the College, personally intervened the
first night and convinced the students to disperse. The second
night, Fr. Brooks acted as a relay between the students and
Fr. Swords and the demonstration ended when Fr. Swords agreed
to meet with the students in the Hogan ballroom.

Mr. Kranstover and I both heard rumors of an intent to burn
the Air Force ROTC building, but I never believed them. There
may have been a few who would have attempted such an act,
but the great majority of students opposing the war were
intent on not letting any such thing happen. I believe that
the ‘grace’ Mr. Kranstover experienced derived
from the relatively small size of the College and the fact
that bitter war opponents found themselves living on the
same hallway, taking the same classes, and participating
in the same extracurricular activities. If there was not
agreement, there was usually respect for the people on the
other side.

Brendan J. O’Donnell ’71
Fairfax, Va.

“Eating Disorders”
First, I want to say that Pages 4 through 13 of the winter
issue of Holy Cross Magazine are some of the best pages
that have appeared in any issue in a long time.

I am really writing because I am appalled that you would
publish only one letter to the editor about the disgraceful
article in the prior magazine on eating disorders. You
also show no sensitivity by showing that terrible cover
again.
You, I think—and I know Fr. McFarland—received
letters that said how wrong it was to have that cover and
to make a story like that as the main article in an alumni
magazine. If you are going to print any letters, you should
give a balanced view.

I would hope in the future you think about articles and
the people you are serving with the magazine.

W.F. Glavin ’53
Vero Beach, Fla.

“Fight Club”
Reading Mike Neagle’s “The Fight Club” article
in the winter 2004 edition brought back many fond memories.
I was sitting in the locker room, getting my hands taped,
and I had just wished Kevin McEneaney ’80 good luck
in his bout with my football teammate, Jim Haldeman ’77.
A minute later, someone banged on the door and yelled, “You’re
up. Kevin just knocked Jimmy out!” I remember being
surprised at the brevity of the bout, and I laced up to face
Jack McGovern ’80 in the last fight of the night.

I had some amateur experience, and Jack (a future Holy
Cross Hall of Famer) did not. I was playing it for laughs,
using
an empty keg as a stool, and one of my cornermen was
dressed as Tarzan. I thought that if I could just outpoint
him
for three rounds and neither of us got hurt, we would
both soon
be drinking beer in a social room somewhere.

The only problem was that I forgot to tell Jack my plan:
he had other ideas. About 30 seconds into the first round,
Jack caught me with a left hook, my mouthpiece went flying,
and the war was on. I ended up winning a decision that
probably could have gone either way.

That night was the last time I ever boxed. I did get
to play for two football teams that beat Boston College;
we
also
beat an Air Force team coached by Bill Parcells. Athletics
was a memorable part of my Holy Cross experience.